Depression decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is warranted. However, a remand is necessary to correct an error in the duty to assist that occurred prior to the issuance of the April 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is found to be etiologically related to his active service. The nasal injury and right big toe injury are also found to have onset during his period of honorable service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were incurred during his active service.

The appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a left ankle disability, increased ratings for various disabilities, and effective dates.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The case will be remanded for a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in February 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to unverified stressors and potential issues with the Veteran's service connection for psychiatric disorders. The VA examiner will need to verify one of the reported stressors, assess whether the in-service disciplinary problems were related to any psychiatric disorder, and determine if substance abuse predated or caused the psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's unverified military service records. The AOJ is instructed to verify any service and provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit additional evidence supporting his claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not clear enough and needs more information. They need to get his Social Security Administration records, which may help them understand why he received disability benefits.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, hearing loss, hypertension, and asthma have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including service connection for left elbow, knee, hip conditions and secondary service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, an increased rating, and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these matters as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD and whether it is linked to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and verify in-service stressors. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the appellant's service personnel records and clarify her periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The current decision does not address any rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for ventricular arrhythmia and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, require further development. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Depression (secondary to Multiple Sclerosis) due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset of Multiple Sclerosis during or within seven years after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to revise the October 2017 rating decision that granted an effective date of July 21, 2014, for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran argued that he should have been awarded TDIU earlier based on his service-connected conditions and inability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.